A problemática do uso de máscaras na interpretação em libras

Abstract

This work aims to elucidate some reflections on the difficulties faced by Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) interpreters with regard to non-manual expressions (ENMs), more necessarily facial expressions regarding the exercise of their profession during the pandemic period. of COVID-19. The pandemic began in 2019 and for public health reasons, due to the high rate of contagion of the disease, the use of protective masks became mandatory, thus covering the entire region of the mouth and cheeks of those who were using them. Libras is a visual-gestural language and we assume that for comprehensible communication, facial expressions are extremely important, since the process of intensification of Libras is marked through these expressions. Thus, we reflect theoretically on the linguistic concepts focused on the studies of Libras phonology, that is, the parameters (QUADROS; KARNOPP, 2004), highlighting the importance of facial expressions in interpretation. The work methodology was based on the observation and analysis of two public domain videos located on YouTube, in which the interpreters wear masks during interpretation. The results indicate that the use of a mask interferes with facial expressions, thus impairing the understanding and even linguistic loss of Libras for the deaf, since facial expressions are basic grammatical marks for understanding Libras. Keyword.